Elite Cricket 2019 - Week 2

We're back for the second week of the Elite season, played on January 8 and 9. First up is...

Henry Ford Memorial Stadium, Pronger: The Tridents are at home for three straight, resting Zach in their home opener, while the Stills sit their captain Easter to start their week 2 action. Ruby looked great in her first game with Todavía, lining 598 on the first turn to set the tone in the game. Precious had a more commanding attack with 735 for Pronger, putting them ahead initially. Sierra fired back with more pace but a shorter turn, her 526 serving to cover the deficit for the Stills. Spot covered that damage with 559 for the Tridents, keeping them ahead at the midpoint of a high-scoring game. Bells stumbled with 225 for Todavía, causing them to lose ground in the game. Potter pounded 740 for Pronger, making their lead more assertive late in the game. Prism fell at 264 for the Stills, leaving them with only 1613 in the loss. Lize tapped 447 for the Tridents at the end, capping their win at 2481. Pronger is up to 2-1, while Todavía drops back to 1-1.

Henry Ford Memorial Stadium, Pronger: For the second half of the Tridents' doubleheader, Spot sits out, while the Surfers play their first road game with Beth on the bench. Watermelon sent 472 on the opening turn, a solid performance from the Pearl co-captain. Precious responded with a pacey 754 for Pronger, giving them the initial lead again with the fantastic attack. Boots tried to keep the Surfers in it, but she couldn't find a sweet spot, ending with a solid 383 on the second turn. Zach matched it with 384 for the Tridents, maintaining their lead halfway through the game. Neopolitan stayed in line with the rest of her Pearl teammates, her 436 challenging the hosts lightly. Potter stormed forward with 954 for Pronger, easily extending their lead heading into the final turn. Bright had a massive swing that collected 443 for the Surfers before clipping the boundary, leaving them in a loss with 1734. Lize kept it close with 438 for the Tridents, completing their win at 2530. Pronger's enjoying the home-cooking this week, now at 3-1 while sending Pearl to 1-1.

AT&T Oceanside Stadium, Oceanside: Two talented teams meet, with rest being given for the Prestige's Citrus and the Waves' Josie. Acorn produced a sharp 504 for Lighton, a spiked hit causing his downfall earlier than preferred. Snuggle played a longer and more successful turn, rallying with 819 to put Oceanside in the lead at the start of the game. Spirit answered with 560 for the Prestige, covering the deficit with a quick and productive turn. Celestia countered with ease, drilling 643 to add a little more to the Waves' lead. Nicole had a good pace but couldn't make it last for Lighton, falling with 385 to barely miss covering the deficit this time. Dewey did his part with 450 for Oceanside, picking up a little more to protect their lead again. Shiny knocked 569 for the Prestige, forcing a response from the hosts as the visitors close at 2018. Jason V. met the challenge with 326 for the Waves, sealing their win at 2238. Oceanside is up to 3-1 for the year, while Lighton gets a reality check as they fall to 1-1.

Sony Stadium, Queens: The Flames are ready to go from their brand new cricket stadium, sitting Hannah in their home opener against a Cascades team resting Stripes. Jasmine took off from the start, a rising attack from the Freedom captain culminating in 644 points on the board. Crystal had too much time to think on her last swing, skying it to end with 450 as Queens starts this one from behind. Roxy had a bad hit for the Cascades, leaving them vulnerable after taking a measly 72 points on her turn. Violetta did no better, the usually energetic third-year taking 72 as well as the Flames remain behind. Nikolai popped 407 for Freedom on his turn, giving them a bit more of a lead temporarily. Briana just matched it with 409 for Queens, unable to make a cut into the deficit as the final players come to bat. Stinky missed his mark with 164 for the Cascades, their final score resting at a vulnerable 1287. Mario offered 298 for the Flames in his first appearance with the team, putting them at 1229 in a narrow and ugly loss. Freedom escapes a sloppy game with a win to go to 2-1, while Queens starts the year 0-1 with a road game immediately to follow.

Apple Park, Todavía: The Stills have their home opener now with Bells on the bench, while the Flames sit Violetta in the second half of their doubleheader. Crystal had a shaky 304 for Queens to lead off the game. Ruby struggled in this game for Todavía, managing only 144 points as the hosts will begin this one in the hole. Briana set the new era record with 2095 for the Flames, the legendary performance likely settling this game quickly. Sierra did what she could for the Stills, picking up 596, but they will need a miracle to overcome this deficit. Mario shot back with a firm 664 in support for Queens, not that they need much help. Easter dropped at a decent 405 for Todavía, mostly treating the turn like batting practice. Hannah attacked with great force in her first game of the year for the Flames, adding 780 to bring their total up to 3843 in a likely huge win. Prism took 290 in a middling turn for the Stills, who lost brutally at 1435. Queens rises to 1-1 with the massive win, while sending Todavía to 1-2.

Henry Ford Memorial Stadium, Pronger: Ms. Kitty will rest for the visiting Volcanoes in their first road game, while the hosting Tridents sit Lize. Starlight lined 609 for Pacific on the first turn of the game, trying to help her team immediately. Precious answered with 552 for Pronger, keeping things close initially in what's expected to be an even game. Twinkie I couldn't really find a comfortable swing, ending at 289 for the Volcanoes. Spot answered with 466 for the Tridents, pulling them ahead at the midway mark. Leonette was poised to fire off a big turn, but a high hit cut her off at 276 as Pacific continues to struggle with depth scoring. Zach hammered 850 for Pronger in response, setting them on course for a comfortable win. Cowzart made it a bit less comfortable with his 766 for the Volcanoes, giving the visitors a total of 1940 that will need to be answered. Potter went with 324 for the Tridents, good for a win at 2192 despite his reluctance to bat at the end. Pronger continues to rise to 4-1, while Pacific drops to 0-2.

Pepsi Prestige Park, Lighton: The Crowns are resting their captain Nightfur as they try to get a grip on the season, while the Prestige will go without their newcomer Shiny this time. Kayla surged to 572 with good pace for Royal on the first turn, establishing their offense quickly. Acorn fired back with 534 for Lighton, a firm counterattack to keep the game tight at first. Jake had a good game going until he sent a swing high, ending his turn at 445 as the Crowns take a weaker position on the second turn. Citrus flipped 804 for the Prestige, an aggressive attack to give the hosts a lead. Brownie charged back with 699 for Royal, refusing to let another former Select team beat them easily. Spirit settled at 420 after missing a swing for Lighton, causing the difference between the teams to shrink late in the game. Cassie butchered the chance to save the Crowns, her 27 causing them to lose at 1743. Nicole got a bit loose at the end, but ended with 479 to give the Prestige a win at 2237. Lighton goes up to 2-1, while Royal remains in search of their first win, sitting at 0-5.

Verizon Field, Pacific: The Volcanoes return home now, sitting Twinkie I in this game, while the Crowns bench Cassie for performance reasons to complete their road doubleheader. Kayla tried to make a save when a ball hopped over her bat, but it got to her wicket and ended her turn at 96 points. Starlight showed no mercy, sending a good turn with 655 for Pacific to put them far ahead. Jake bounced back with 582 for the Crowns, doing just enough to cover the deficit. Ms. Kitty didn't look so good in her first game back from rest, hitting a mediocre 225 for the Volcanoes as their lead weakens. Nightfur wasted the chance to get Royal ahead in a meaningful way, ending with only 220 in another wasted turn from the captain. Leonette rolled with 330 for Pacific, maintaining their slight lead into the final turn. Brownie showed a little fatigue, falling at 267 for the Crowns as they suffer defeat once again with 1165 in the fourth game of their seven-game road trip. Cowzart chopped 479 at the end to cap the Volcanoes' first win of the season at 1689. Pacific is up to 1-2, sending Royal plunging to 0-6.

Verizon Field, Pacific: The Volcanoes end a home doubleheader with Leonette on the bench, while the Tradewinds begin their tripleheader with Niki out of the lineup. Tigerette posted 407 for Commerce in a reasonable opening turn for a captain trying to save her energy. Starlight replied with 492 for Pacific, putting them narrowly ahead after the first turn. Solaris made a mess of his turn with only 48 for the Tradewinds, unable to cover the deficit after a quick bad hit. Ms. Kitty played smart and turned in a strong 554 for the Volcanoes, padding their lead on the second attack. Taylor S. had a good turn going until she scooped a ball upward, ending at 371 as Commerce remains at a deficit. Twinkie I carved out 606 for Pacific, continuing their trend of rising scores as they pull away with this game. Rosemary got about half of the deficit with her 424 giving the Tradewinds a loss at 1250 overall. Cowzart took 510 at the end as the Volcanoes cruised to the win at 2162. Both teams shift to 2-2 with the result of this game.

Nike Field, Commerce: The Tradewinds are back at home, with Solaris sitting this one out, while the Knights bench Quincy in their first Urban Derby of the year. Kiwi struck for 501 for Terrace City on the opening turn, making a big impact at the start. Tigerette's early struggles with pacing cost her some points later, as the Commerce captain ended at 448 to create a small deficit. Jennifer slugged 1071 for the Knights, keeping the undefeated team in firm control of this game. Taylor S. got caught on her backhand and couldn't flick the offering to safety, ending with a meager 130 for the Tradewinds. Oreo had good pace but hit a high swing to leave the game with 384 as Terrace City will try to maintain this lead. Niki made progress with 514 for Commerce, but a comeback remains unlikely for the hosts. Melissa supplied 544 to pad the Knights' final score up to an even 2500. Rosemary did fine with 519 for the Tradewinds, although they still lost with 1611. Terrace City is up to 4-0, while Commerce drops to 2-3 before heading back on the road.

Pepsi Prestige Park, Lighton: The Prestige rotate their roster to have Spirit sitting out, while the Tradewinds give Rosemary scheduled rest for the last game of their tripleheader. Tigerette swatted a crisp 688 for Commerce on this opening turn, establishing a strong lead. Acorn fired back with 572 for Lighton, a solid play that keeps the hosts in range early on. Solaris closed with 471 for the Tradewinds, unable to break out of a slower pace on his attack. Citrus dropped at 314 as the Prestige allow the deficit to get bigger halfway through the game. The offense continued to fade in this one as Taylor S. hit only 304 for Commerce on her turn. Nicole made a little progress with 407 for Lighton, but they'll need a bigger push on the final turn to flip this game. Niki picked a bad time to disappoint, her 160 putting the Tradewinds at a final score of 1623. Shiny met the challenge, rallying the Prestige to a win at 1680 after hitting 387 individually. Lighton rises to 3-1, while Commerce falls to 2-4.

Audi Knights Pitch, Terrace City: The undefeated Knights begin a five-game home stand with Oreo on the bench, while the Crowns sit Kayla in Elite's week 2 finale. Jake slapped 487 for Royal in an aggressive and rare lead-off appearance for the veteran. Kiwi held nothing back for Terrace City, clobbering her way to 844 to give the hosts a nice lead. Nightfur had a great pace going until she sent a swing sky-high, ending at 380 to just cover the deficit for the Crowns. Jennifer shot back with 560 to add a little more heft to the Knights lead at the midpoint of the game. Brownie had an early swing that caused her to end with a middling 304 for Royal, who look set to go empty again here. Quincy held his ground with 410 for Terrace City, protecting their lead heading into the final turn. Cassie finally broke her early season slump with 480 for the Crowns, but they suffered another loss with 1651. Melissa poked a measly 80 as the Knights finish with 1894. Terrace City remains atop Elite at 5-0, while Royal sinks to 0-7 in an ugly first two weeks of the season.

That's all for Elite today. Premier is scheduled likely for the weekend, while the Heart of the Game competition continues for the rest of the week.

Heart of the Game 13-ball Tournament - Round 1 Day 1

We're opening the first round of the Heart of the Game preseason 13-ball competition today. If all goes to plan, the first round will be 8-10 days long. All series in the first four rounds are three games long. First up...

Whiskers v. Dreamy. Two longtime veterans of the league battle in the first series. It looked every bit the part of the first league activity in pool in seven weeks, as Dreamy started off well but couldn't corral the last ball from a good position. Illegal contact helped Whiskers get ball-in-hand for the last two shots, winning as she put the 8 in the bottom side to go up 1-0. Dreamy fired back with a hot start again in game 2, and she kept it even with a hard-charging Whiskers until the latter missed contact with her last solid. Dreamy made a pair of shots to get the win, tying the series at 1. Dreamy went empty on the break in game 3, and Whiskers dominated the rest of the game, with a three-ball run of her own aided by Dreamy potting two balls for her. Dreamy didn't make a shot until her final turn, and Whiskers soon finished the game on a pair of shots, winning the series 2-1. Whiskers heads to the second round.

Twilight v. Porfirio Cazares. The blue cue's first appearance with a new tip is here. Porfirio made a push with a four-ball run at one point after Twilight started game 1 with a successful attack. Porfirio just couldn't corral the 8, and Twilight eventually made the last two shots for the win, taking a 1-0 series lead. Porfirio put up a good fight again in game 2, getting onto the 8 at almost the same time as Twilight, who struggled in the late game. Porfirio's long shot on the 8 rattled out of the top left, and Twilight made the tap-in, poaching the win to seal the series at 2-0. Twilight had a great look on the break in game 3, making a ball to spark her offense. Porfirio never pulled ahead, as Twilight quickly shut the door to take the win for a 3-0 series sweep of the unaffiliated player.

Rudolph v. Nightfur. A sophomore meets a veteran with the silver cue in the third series. Rudolph showed some youthful creativity in game 1 after a scratch slowed his starting attack. Nightfur couldn't firmly grasp the lead here, and Rudolph rallied with a four-ball run-out for the 1-0 series lead. Rudolph did alright to start game 2, but two scratches and difficulty with positioning allowed Nightfur to pull far ahead. Nightfur had to be patient at the end before kicking the 8 to the top left for the win that tied the series at 1. Nightfur had a commanding break and started well in game 3, but still needed a comeback after Rudolph's late push saw him just miss on the 8. Nightfur finished with a three-ball run-out for the win, taking the series 2-1 in the process.

Jerry Burke v. Shawn. The red cue steps in again as an unaffiliated player hosts for the first time. Shawn managed to overcome a good break by Jerry in game 1, rallying at the end with five balls over his last two turn to grab the win. Shawn leads the series 1-0. Shawn didn't make anything on the break, but Jerry's game fell apart with a scratch in game 2. Shawn had a three-ball run to pressure his opponent, and then made a late pair of shots a couple turns later to grab the win when Jerry proved unable to make much of a counterattack. Shawn did the bulk of the attacking again in game 3, following a similar pattern as before to take the win again, good for a 3-0 series sweep and a ticket to the second round.

Niki v. Chimpy. A pair of understated league players clash with the blue cue. Niki had a good start but a weak middle in game 1. Chimpy tried to attack that flaw, but his shooting was generally poor, and Niki escaped for a quick finish to go up 1-0 in the series. Niki didn't have much to start with in game 2, and she felt pressured when Chimpy hit a four-ball run late in the game, but Chimpy never got onto his final ball. Niki played good defense and managed to gather enough shooting power for the win, ending with a three-ball run-out to clinch the series at 2-0. Niki couldn't complete the sweep in game 3, as Chimpy used just enough defense to stymie Niki's last attack. Chimpy then made a pair of shots to get the win, but he did fall to Niki 2-1 in the series.

Princess v. Sarah Brookes. A veteran and the rookie that replaced her on the Tysini Hummingbirds meet in this silver cue series. Sarah started off alright in game 1, but a late scratch derailed her attack significantly. Princess won the war of attrition in the end, converting the 8 to the bottom right for the 1-0 series lead. Sarah showed a bit more resilience in game 2, fighting back against pushes from Princess a couple of times. Sarah got the win when a shot at the bottom side aligned for her perfectly, and she made the 8 on the next shot to the top right for the victory that ties the series at 1. Sarah had a tough time in game 3, barely managing to get the win under pressure from the very forceful attack from Princess. Princess' only mistake was missing her last stripe, as Sarah made the 8 on the next turn for a 2-1 series win.

Charlie Thompson v. Sage. A big and hard-hitting unaffiliated player takes on the crafty sophomore with the red cue. Sage started well as Charlie hit an empty break and two scratches early in game 1, but Charlie had a five-ball run later on. Sage couldn't bounce back, giving Charlie a clear path to the end as he grabbed the win for a 1-0 series lead. Charlie had some good play in game 2 as well, but an illegally potted ball ruined everything. Sage found herself on a three-ball run, and she would eventually complete the game for a win, tying the series at 1. Charlie lost his cool in game 3, his opportunity for a big run ruined by a near miss. Sage stayed composed a bit better, but did not play well herself, winning more due to Charlie's incompetence. Sage will head to the second round after a 2-1 series win.

Rosemary v. Florent Claes. A soft-hitting sophomore takes on a similar unaffiliated player with the blue cue. Rosemary had some good play early in game 1, but Florent unraveled the rack a bit faster in the end, taking a three-ball run-out for the win and a 1-0 series lead. Game 2 went with a much faster pace, as Florent found some success early on, only for Rosemary to fight back with a pair of attacks that won her the game. Rosemary took ball-in-hand and created a four-ball run-out on the latter of the two attacks, her win tying the series at 1. Rosemary looked to have the upper-hand in game 3, getting onto her last ball fairly quickly. Florent gave it his all at the end, finding a three-ball run-out to save his bid in the competition as he won the series 2-1.

Zach v. Panda. The silver cue gets a look in a series with two quietly strong players. Zach was faster to get to the end-game part of game 1, but Panda found more success when he got there, making a pair of shots before taking the 8 at the top right on the next turn after Zach failed to make his last ball. Panda owns a 1-0 series lead. Zach again had a chance to make a play late in game 2, but he blocked his own shot on his final ball. Panda had already put the 8 in a good position on the previous turn, and he converted to the top side with ease, securing the series at 2-0. Game 3 had a very defensive finish, as both players needed the top side and bottom left to win. Zach eventually carved out his path to victory, breezing by a stagnant Panda to avoid the sweep. Panda will advance on a 2-1 series win, earning a chance to face Nightfur in the second round.

Ms. Puppy v. Katelynn. Another pair of league veterans square off, using the red cue. Ms. Puppy struck first on the break and had a good game going, but after the two players traded collateral damage, Katelynn found a pair of shots on her final turn to nab the win. Katelynn is up 1-0 in the series. Ms. Puppy attacked with a three-ball run and made another pair after a scratch by Katelynn in game 2. Katelynn bounced back with a five-ball run, and she converted a pair of shots on her next turn to steal the win and the 2-0 series win from Ms. Puppy's grasp. Ms. Puppy ran out of steam as game 3 progressed, her inability to make her last ball leading to a scratch that she never accounted for. Katelynn eventually made the 8 to the top left to ice the 3-0 series sweep.

Pounce v. Ms. Kitty. Two more league veterans are paired for a blue cue series. Pounce made a deep push in game 1 early on, which Ms. Kitty struggled to answer. When she did, Pounce was there to strike for four balls over the next two turns, which gave him the win and a 1-0 series lead. Pounce again controlled the attack in game 2, but a number of misses by Ms. Kitty put her in a position for a three-ball run late in the game. Pounce converted on the 8 at the bottom side to stop the bleeding, but he gave Ms. Kitty a lifeline when he scratched. Ms. Kitty took the gifted win to tie the series at 1. Pounce came out hot again in game 3, but he failed to even get onto the 8 this time, allowing Ms. Kitty to surge by him as she took the win with a strong finish. Ms. Kitty came back to win the series 2-1, earning her spot in the next round against Sage.

Zuri Okafor v. Barasa Contee. The first series between two unaffiliated players pits countrymen against each other. Barasa stood out early on with two pairs of shots, but that sandwiched around a six-ball run by Zuri that allowed the host to play patient at the end. Zuri did well, eventually putting the 8 in the top side for a 1-0 series lead. Barasa started out with a similarly strong effort, but he managed to do enough defensively to prevent another counterattack by Zuri. Barasa's smart play helped him stay ahead, and he calmly made a three-ball run-out at the end for the win to tie the series at 1. Barasa stayed calm in game 3 even against a fiery attack early on by Zuri. The fire burned out later on, as Zuri missed contact after Barasa had a four-ball run, allowing Barasa to claim the 8 from ball-in-hand to the bottom side for a 2-1 series win. Barasa advances to the second round.

Corentin Aerts v. Shelley. Another unaffiliated player hosts as the red cue cycles back into action. Shelley had a good start in game 1, but could have won in two or three turns. Corentin didn't pressure Shelley when she made mistakes, and Shelley eventually won on a five-ball run-out for a 1-0 series lead. Shelley didn't have the benefit of good positioning in game 2, leading to a much longer battle that saw Corentin hold the advantage for a majority of the play. Corentin was unable to cleanly finish the game, and Shelley swooped in on a three-ball run-out for the win, clinching the series at 2-0. Game 3 saw Shelley jump out to a lead and carry it until the end of the game, where tempers flared after multiple misses at the bottom left. Corentin emerged from the doldrums with a three-ball run-out, winning to avoid the sweep as Shelley takes the series 2-1.

Ken Howard v. Mitchell. The unaffiliated hosting spree continues with the blue cue's last series today. Ken played a defensive game 1 after Mitchell quickly got down to his final ball after two pairs of shots. Ken slowed Mitchell down well, but didn't do anything to get positioning for himself, and Mitchell had no trouble playing patient before striking down a pair for the win and 1-0 series lead. Ken played a stronger attacking game 2, hitting a three-ball run at one stage. Mitchell followed the same pattern in his shots, and a scratch evened the game, which Mitchell won by deftly banking the 8 to the top right around Ken's loose defense. Mitchell has the series in his hands at 2-0. Mitchell made an odd choice to go for a jam play in game 3, which predictably caused the 8 to fall early, gifting Ken a win in a game where he had virtually no offense. Mitchell will be satisfied with a 2-1 series win to get him in the next round.

Josie v. Sparkles. A sophomore plays host to a veteran as the silver cue exits the action for today. Josie left game 1 livid after many of her turns produced no clear shot. Sparkles maintained her composure a bit better, which helped her rally at the end to get the win for a 1-0 series lead. Josie still hadn't calmed down and saw her emotions flare up again in game 2 after a handful of early misses. Sparkles began to lose her cool as well, especially as Josie composed a three-ball run a turn before finishing the game. Josie's tap-in on the 8 at the bottom left was good for her win, tying the series at 1. Josie started well in game 3, but she wouldn't have to do much, as Sparkles put the 8 in illegally on her first shot, a loose play at the bottom right with an unfortunate carom. Josie gladly took the win, escaping an ugly series with a 2-1 win.

Citrus v. Trevor Watson. Today's final series is played with the red cue. Citrus asserted herself quickly in game 1, getting onto the 8 in just two turns. Trevor made a bold reply with a four-ball run, but Citrus held her own, burying the 8 to the top right for the 1-0 series lead and a win. Citrus didn't have it as easy in game 2, but it proved to be mostly a personal struggle, as Trevor got no closer this time than he did in game 1. Citrus eventually found the right path forward to get the win, sealing the series at 2-0 in the process. Citrus couldn't complete the sweep, barely keeping even with Trevor for most of the game. Citrus had a late foul go against her, allowing Trevor a clean look for two shots that gave him the win. Citrus took the series 2-1 to punch her ticket to the second round.

That's it for the opening day of the preseason competition. We'll have more tomorrow, likely alongside Elite cricket.

Select Cricket 2019 - Week 2

The second week of the season gets going on a Sunday, as Select returns to action here. First up...

Subway Field, Stonebridge: The Wolves have their home opener in the week's first game, sitting sophomore Hershey, while the visiting Spiders will rest Avril ahead to start a three-game road trip. Waluigi did well with 458 for Web City, continuing his adjustment to a lead-off role. Juno belted 1034 for Stonebridge on their first turn, a massive turn to give them a lead. Ted had an awful time with pace for the Spiders, bowing out at only 176 on their second attack. Cobalt added 622 in a supporting turn for the Wolves, keeping their lead strong. Jack cranked out 642 for Web City, making a comeback push despite the long odds against the visitors. Wild Thing batted 420 for Stonebridge, the solid performance shoring up their lead late in the game. Chicky Phil went bust on a high pace turn, exiting with 220 as the Spiders lose at 1496. Vladimir slapped another 590 as the Wolves took a big win with 2666, a far cry from their first game. Stonebridge rises to 1-1, while Web City drops to 0-2.

IBM Nighthawks Nest, North Modernistic: The Nighthawks begin a home doubleheader with Lionel on the bench, while the Specters close their three-game road trip with Lexi sitting out. Sydney S. got off to a poorer start in week 2, hitting only 152 on a jittery turn for Harrison. Peach didn't last as long as she wanted to, but her 371 will give North Modernistic the early lead. Twinkie II covered the deficit with 353 for the Specters, but the lack of offense persists in the cold northern venue. Cheddar scrambled her way to 635 for the Nighthawks, regaining a stronger lead at the midway mark. Blizzard let a ball jump over her bat, cutting her turn short at just 81 points. Gal poked 295 for North Modernistic, with little fear of the visitors making a comeback at this stage. Rudolph fell at a mediocre 248 for the Specters, their final score far short of a win at only 834. Luigi's 405 brought the Nighthawks to 1706 overall in the win, a confident look from the sharp team. North Modernistic rises to 3-1, sending Harrison to 3-2 in the process.

IBM Nighthawks Nest, North Modernistic: In a rematch from last week, the Nighthawks sit their captain Peach, while the Spurs look to win again without Strawberry in the lineup. Spice began with 394 for Victoria, a solid but unremarkable effort from their captain. Cheddar answered with 361 for North Modernistic in a rare turn at lead-off. Yekaterina took control, blasting 965 for the Spurs on the second attack to give them a much more confident lead. Gal replied with 329 for the Nighthawks, unable to make an important counterattack as the hosts fall behind. Sage provided 410 for Victoria in a solid turn, beginning to find her form early in the season. Lionel had a good pace going, but a high hit downed him at 332, turning a potential comeback spark into a dud. Mitchell picked up 384 to give the Spurs 2153 in total. Luigi got beat on a high hit, ending at 329 as the Nighthawks fall with a balanced 1351. Victoria stays perfect at 4-0, with two wins against the now 3-2 North Modernistic team.

Mercedes-Benz Field, Harrison: The last game before a short break sees both of these teams playing their second games this week. The Specters sit Sydney S., while the Wolves bench Vladimir at the start of a five-game road trip. Juno hammered 813 in another good appearance for Stonebridge, staking out a large lead as they try to avenge a loss from last week. Twinkie II managed only 258 for Harrison in response. Cobalt faltered at 224 for the Wolves this time, weakening their lead if the hosts can strike big. Blizzard again dropped her bat too far, but this time she banked 450 before the posture error took out the newest Specter. Hershey added 310 in a decent appearance for Stonebridge, but they can't have much confidence in their lead. Lexi dropped at 243 as Harrison lacks a statement turn with a noticeable deficit and one turn to correct course. Wild Thing had a meager 144 for the Wolves at the end, their final score settling at 1491. Rudolph did just enough to complete the comeback for the Specters, his 544 giving them 1495 for the narrow win. Harrison's stunning result gets them to 4-2, while Stonebridge is glad to be done with this stadium, falling to 1-2 for the year.

Google Pitch at Union Ground, Modernistic: The Union's home opener comes after a break, with Puff I sitting for the hosts, while Ted is on the bench for the visiting Spiders. Waluigi shrugged 423 for Web City, a reasonable start from the lead-off hitter. Ms. Puppy looked comfortable with her pace, but a shaky swing caused her to drop at 214 as Modernistic starts from behind. Jack shredded 817 for the Spiders on their second attack, giving the visitors a surprisingly strong lead. Daisy had a poor 184 for the Union, causing them to fall farther behind. Avril protected Web City's lead with 308 on her turn, a decent showing. Kodiak poked 619 for Modernistic, cutting into the deficit a bit but probably not enough for the hosts to flip the result. Chicky Phil tapped 384 at the end for the Spiders, bringing their final score to 1932. Sydney C. ended at 346 for the Union, giving them a total of 1363 in the loss. Web City has their first win this season, going to 1-2, while Modernistic starts off at 0-1.

Sprint Pitch, Victoria: The Spurs are back home with Mitchell sitting for the second time this season, while the Arrows bench Hoppy in this one-off trip to the Southwest. Sally had a groove going before a ball hopped over her bat, causing her to end at only 240 for Archtown. Spice replied with 617 for Victoria, a confident turn that gives the hosts an early lead. Sleepy B. covered the damage with 709 for the Arrows, the great turn keeping things interesting. Yekaterina fired back with 804 for the Spurs, restoring their lead and then some with the fantastic counterattack. Dusky jammed up at 395, the ball near her hands causing a quicker than expected exit. Sage lost a little of the lead with her 351, but Victoria remains noticeably ahead with a player each to go. A. Charlton failed to force a response with 258 for the Arrows, their loss coming at 1602 as the road continues to confound them. Strawberry tacked on 564 for the Spurs to close their win at a total of 2336. Victoria is getting stronger as they rise to 5-0, while Archtown is 1-2 without a win on the road.

The Intel Pitch, Diamond: The Gems sit Katelynn after mixed results from her first two games, looking to spoil the Lumberjacks' hot start to the year that sees them sitting their captain Diddley. Whiskers buckled at 177 after a good pace early on, putting Maplewood in a tough position. Shadow thundered his way to 963 for Diamond in response, putting the hosts far ahead. Summer bounced her way to 575 for the Lumberjacks, trying to mitigate the damage done on the previous turn. Smokey had a better second game this year, hitting 371 to keep the Gems in control at the midway point. Bryant applied a little more pressure with 438 for Maplewood, trying to keep them in the game. Pedey countered that effectively, his 450 protecting Diamond's lead. Gabe collected a menacing 590 for the Lumberjacks at the end, narrowly failing to force a response as they close with 1780. Leonardo had 240 for the Gems to close their win at 2024. Diamond is 1-2 with this victory, while Maplewood sinks to 2-1.

FedEx Ground, Eastside: The Sharks look for a better performance in their second game, sitting Gizmo, while the Gems make the short trip south and put Leonardo on the bench. Shadow tried to attack with pace, but clipped the boundary on his third swing, falling a measly 72 for Diamond. Graham failed to fully punish that mistake, his 290 giving Eastside only a minor lead. Smokey had a middling 216 for the Gems on the second attack, the visitors' frustrations mostly with the bounces on the pitch. Chelsea finally broke through on offense, slicing 600 to give the Sharks a distinct lead. Pedey got most of it back with 566 for Diamond, continuing to be their steadiest player. Taylor M. had only 249 for Eastside, causing their lead to weaken as the final players come to bat. Katelynn gathered 409 for the Gems at the end, forcing the hosts to respond to their final score of 1263. Cubby met the challenge with 373 for the Sharks, giving them a win on 1512 total. Eastside is 1-1, while Diamond slips back to 1-3.

Starbucks Cup, Archtown: The Arrows return home and have their captain Sally sitting this game out, while the Monarchs take to the road with Pounce on the bench after a bad first game. Mams drilled 750 for Southern on the first turn this time, a fantastic effort from their newcomer. Sleepy B. answered with 484 from the lead-off spot, mitigating the damage that Archtown has to cover. Panda replied with 384 for the Monarchs, attempting to keep their lead stable. Hoppy rejoined the lineup and had a good pace going, but her risky swings cut her down at 211 when she played a ball out of bounds. Dominic didn't do Southern any favors, his errant swing causing his turn to end at a weak 162. Dusky made a push with 451 for Archtown, cutting into the deficit and giving the hosts a chance to flip the game on the final turn. Salmo weakened the Monarchs lead even more with only 180 on his first turn with the team, which gave them a final score of 1476. A. Charlton rallied with 569 for the Arrows, putting them over the top for a win at 1715. Another home win evens Archtown's record at 2-2, while Southern dips to 0-2 with the loss.

Google Pitch at Union Ground, Modernistic: Daisy will be on the bench in the Union's second game, while Cobalt sits out for the Wolves amid some serious road struggles. Juno lifted 569 for Stonebridge on their opening a turn, a highly productive outing. Ms. Puppy again had a surprisingly short turn, this time only managing 289 after a high swing cut the Modernistic captain's turn short. Hershey muscled up for another 518 for the Wolves, padding their lead with the good turn. Puff I took 357 for the Union in her first game of the year, unable to impact the growing deficit. Wild Thing had a poor turn with a paltry 65 for Stonebridge, making their lead highly unstable. Kodiak swatted 964 for Modernistic to turn the game around, putting the hosts ahead with a turn to go. Vladimir fell short with only 200 for the Wolves, leaving them in a loss at 1352. Sydney C. added 678 for the Union at the end, a bold finishing attack to ice their win at 2288. Modernistic is now 1-1, while Stonebridge falls behind at 1-3.

Mercedes-Benz Field, Harrison: The Specters battle fatigue and will sit Lexi again in a critical early Northeastern Derby with the Arrows, who have A. Charlton sitting this one out. Sally carved out 806 for Archtown on the first turn, immediately pressuring their fatigued hosts. Sydney S. looked refreshed after resting for an earlier game, striking 615 to keep Harrison close here. Sleepy B. shot back with 407 for the Arrows, the second attack keeping them noticeably ahead. Twinkie II answered with 395 for the Specters, a decent turn but not enough to help the hosts' cause at the halfway mark. Hoppy found a groove and rode it quite well, clobbering 810 to keep Archtown in firm control of this bitter rivalry game. Blizzard has lacked the same attacking skill she had last week, falling at 370 here for a quickly-falling-apart Harrison. Dusky chipped 345 for the Arrows at the end, putting them at 2368 overall in a bold road performance. Rudolph looked shaky at first but found his way to scoring 560, even though the Specters still lost with 1940. Archtown rises to 3-2, while Harrison falls back to 4-3, both in the top half of the division standings.

IBM Nighthawks Nest, North Modernistic: A week at home for the Nighthawks ends with Luigi sitting out against the Spiders, who bench Chicky Phil in the finale of their three-game road trip. Waluigi played loose and scored 476 for Web City, a stunning start the hosts were not expecting. Peach didn't blink, firing back with 690 to put North Modernistic in front initially. Ted went with 285 for the Spiders, enough to cover the deficit but not by much. Cheddar did not show a hint of mercy, barreling through her turn to score 898 as the Nighthawks take a large lead. Jack bounced back with 540, but Web City faces a tough task if they want to win this one. Gal slipped at 160 for North Modernistic, but they remain in the lead heading into the last turn. Avril was worse at 128, confirming a loss for the Spiders with a total of 1429. Lionel poked 319 to end the Nighthawks win, finishing with a total of 2067. North Modernistic goes to 4-2, while Web City drops to 1-3.

We're beginning the Heart of the Game 13-ball preseason tournament tomorrow, which likely means a reduced schedule for Elite games, if any are played.

Premier Cricket 2019 - Week 1

The top division of UPCL cricket is ready to start their season today, beginning with...

Amazon Field, Golden: The Pilots have Sparkles on the bench for the home opener, while the Pirates start their first season in Premier with newcomer sophomore Jason N. sitting out game 1. Delila opened with 418 for Atlantic, the captain doing just fine in her first turn of the year. Valencia replied with 670 for Golden, showing great power with her swings to put the hosts ahead. Isabella fell at 337 for the Pirates, her pace going well until she took an awkward and late swing. Dusty kept the Pilots attack dangerously effective, smashing 708 to boost their lead at the midway mark. Steven butchered his turn badly for Atlantic, scoring only 12 points in an awful debut to the season. Strut went with a fantastic pace as he launched 729 for Golden, who are looking very confident in their home opener. Klaus had the right pace but the wrong swinging angle, collapsing at 230 as the Pirates take a loss with 997. Max did alright with 330 against his former team, capping the Pilots' win at 2437. Golden proved themselves well to start the year 1-0, while Atlantic has a lot of work to do after beginning 0-1.

HP Field, Midland: The Predators are the next original Premier side to host a promoted club. Americus will sit for the hosts, while the visiting Torpedoes sit their newcomer Hughbert. Smudge didn't waste time for Infinity, her 665 setting the tone right from the start of the game. Shawn couldn't match the intensity with only 270 for Midland, a disappointing first appearance of the year. Fluffina looked good at first, but the Torpedoes' new regular #2 hitter ended with 245 after a bad swing. Rainmane cut into the deficit with 544 for the Predators, keeping things close in the middle of the game. Shelley stumbled at 80 points for Infinity, flicking a ball too high that leave the visitors vulnerable. Fuchsia did her part well for Midland, contributing 391 to pull them ahead with a player each to go. Mr. Snowman found a good groove with 586 for the Torpedoes, setting their final score at 1576. Kitty couldn't get the Predators positive again, as the rookie's 202 cost them the game with a losing total of 1407. Infinity escapes with an exciting 1-0 record, while Midland starts at 0-1.

McDonald's Pitch at Pirates Park, Atlantic: The Pirates' second game of the year sees them sit Steven after his bad first game, while the Blades open the season sitting Stealth, who they want active at home. Snowball didn't get off to a great start for Swordpoint, hitting a mild 272 on the first turn. Delila lacked pace as well for Atlantic, posting 256 to keep things close initially. Dreamy produced a meager 81 for the Blades, keeping the low-scoring theme going. Isabella went in the other direction, poking 441 to give the Pirates a noticeable advantage. Bandit had 295 for Swordpoint on his turn, which wasn't enough to cover the deficit against the visitors. Klaus matched the performance with 297 for Atlantic, an unimpressive but sufficient response. Sugar forced a response with 535 for the Blades, making a good first impression on her new team to bring their final to 1183. Jason N. did fine with 405 for the Pirates against his former team, giving the hosts a win at 1399. Atlantic didn't play the cleanest game, but they improve to 1-1 while Swordpoint heads home with an 0-1 record.

Blades Fusion ProGlide Park, Swordpoint: The Blades return home to complete this two-game set, sitting Dreamy to kick off a seven-game home stand, while the Pirates sit Klaus for performance. Delila rounded a bit more into form with 456 for Atlantic to lead off the rematch. Snowball answered with 519 for Swordpoint, as both captains look much better on this pitch. Isabella remains very strong this season, covering the deficit easily with her 497 for the Pirates. Bandit covered that damage with 518, helping the Blades maintain a thin lead at the halfway point. Steven tried to bounce back for Atlantic, but his 160 didn't do the visitors any favors in this game. Stealth proved why he is such a good depth attacker, belting 894 for Swordpoint to give them a massive lead. Jason N. couldn't save the Pirates this time, scoring only 144 as they take the road loss at 1257. Sugar provided another big turn with 605 for the Blades, their winning total resting at 2536. Swordpoint gets back to an even record at 1-1, while Atlantic slips back to 1-2.

Blades Fusion ProGlide Park, Swordpoint: The Blades will sit Dreamy again after success in the last game, while Kirstin rests for the Eagles team with a dramatically altered lineup. Goldy still leads off for Everton, and she did well to take 550 on the first turn in their opening game of the year. Snowball got most of it back with 511 for Swordpoint, a strong response from the hosting captain. Bear made a mess of the second attack for his new Eagles team, hitting only 144 as their lead becomes vulnerable. Bandit countered with 480 for the Blades, an excellent answer to put the hosts ahead. Cleo ripped 782 for Everton this time, forcing the hosts to keep their guard up. Stealth got most of it back with 711 for Swordpoint, a fantastic response to maintain their lead. Puff III's first turn at a 3/4 role ended with a poor 80 points, leaving the Eagles at a loss with 1556. Sugar tacked on 321 for the Blades at the end, capping their win at 2023. Swordpoint rises to 2-1, looking quite formidable already, while Everton starts the year at 0-1 as they try to find some team chemistry.

Chevrolet Field, Everton: The Eagles will sit Puff III after her rough first appearance, while the Shores' season opener sees sophomore Katharine take a seat in the first game. Marsell crushed 936 for Whitewater in his first-ever turn as their lead-off hitter. Goldy did well with 577, recovering well over half of the deficit. Twinkie III returned to her usual spot and hit 441 for the Shores, supplementing their lead fairly well. Bear shot back with 472 for the Eagles, performing well against the team he captained for six years. Shaggy had an acceptable 366 for Whitewater, causing the visitors' lead to lose a little steam on a second consecutive turn. Cleo tried to make a push, but scooped only 376 for Everton, which barely shrinks the deficit late in the game. Rosalina hit 329 for the Shores at the end, giving them a total of 2072. Kirstin came up drastically short, hitting a pathetic 50 as the Eagles lose with 1475. Whitewater wins the emotional match to get to 1-0, while Everton's still got questions to answer at 0-2.

Cisco Tysini Field, Tysini: The Shores continue their early road trip, sitting Rosalina as they face a new-look Hummingbirds team that will have Paps on the bench for their home opener. Marsell had a much weaker second game, hitting only 115 for Whitewater in an ugly start this time. Tysini looked justified in trying their rookie Sarah at lead-off, as she hit 376 to give them the initial lead. Twinkie III gave the Shores a more threatening offense with 631 on the second attack. Leandra lost some of the lead for the Hummingbirds, but her 527 keeps them ahead halfway through the game. Shaggy forced the hosts to stay sharp, providing 434 for Whitewater to cover the deficit again. Charli didn't meet the challenge well, her 274 for Tysini leaving them at a deficit of three points as the final players come to bat. Katharine showed some resentment for being benched in the first game, hammering 828 for the Shores to secure a spot in the lineup going forward, with their final score sitting at 2008. Vincent didn't go quietly for the Hummingbirds, his rally falling short at 607 to leave the hosts at 1784. The exciting game sees Whitewater rise to 2-0, while Tysini starts the year 0-1.

Blades Fusion ProGlide Park, Swordpoint: The Blades will give Sugar a hard-earned rest in this meeting, while the Predators sit rookie Kitty after a lackluster first game. Shawn had a fantastic pace ruined by one high swing, ending at 228 as the Midland captain scuffles again. Snowball answered with 589 for Swordpoint, showing grace and force on the home team's opening attack. Rainmane missed a swing and ended at 300 for the Predators, who failed to cover the deficit. Dreamy lined another 572 for the Blades, making her return to the lineup count positively for her team. Americus got distracted for Midland, falling with a paltry 33 points as the visitors have shown almost no fight from the start of the game. Bandit didn't do so well with only 209 for Swordpoint in this appearance, but their lead is not in immediate danger. Fuchsia served up 285 to finish a weak game from the Predators at a losing total of 846. Stealth had a pacey but short 216 for the Blades to cap their win at 1586, which shows a bit of fatigue for them. Swordpoint is now 3-1, while Midland sinks to 0-2.

Nestle's Warriors Park, Central: The first Generations Derby of the year sees the Warriors sit their rookie Andrew while the Pilots bench newcomer Max for the vicious rivalry match. Valencia started a bit slow, but picked up the pace later in the turn to record 692 for Golden in a strong outing. Twilight answered with 567 for Central, keeping things close on the first turn. Dusty wiped that out with 584 for the Pilots, her excellent pace creating the positive turn. Dustin tried a similar strategy, but fell at 484 for the Warriors, losing a critical bit of ground at the halfway mark. Strut took more conservative swings to compile his 544 for Golden, keeping the visitors in charge for another turn. Wings kept it close with 506, but Central has been unable to win a turn so far. Sparkles did alright with 441 for the Pilots, icing their offense at 2261. Noelle made a push with 541 for the Warriors, but came up short as they lost with 2098. The exciting game sees Golden up to 2-0, while Central starts the year 0-1.

HP Field, Midland: The Predators return home with their captain Shawn on the bench, while Kirstin sits again for the second time on the road this season for the Eagles. Goldy tipped a swing backward, ending her turn at 684 for Everton, a strong and pacey start from the visiting captain. Rainmane made a rare lead-off appearance, hitting 450 for Midland for a respectable response. Bear shot back with 384 for the Eagles, weakening their lead a little bit in the process. Americus couldn't get it together for the Predators here, taking just 164 as the hosts slip farther behind. Cleo blasted 1417 for Everton on her turn, a merciless attack that almost guarantees the visitors a win. Fuchsia crumbled at 130 for Midland, erasing any hope of a realistic comeback. Puff III capped the Eagles' likely win with 606 individually, for a total of 3091. Kitty popped a good 523 for the Predators, assuring herself a starting spot in their next game after this loss at 1267. Everton rises to 1-2, while Midland has looked lost in a 0-3 start.

Blades Fusion ProGlide Park, Swordpoint: The Blades sit Bandit for rest in the last game of their five-game week, while the Swifts' season debut sees Puff II on the bench. Patches picked up right where she left off last season, pummeling 779 for Boston on the opening turn. Snowball held her ground well with 561 for Swordpoint, but they will start this game behind. Gradley looked as good as his captain, piling on with 764 as the Swifts assert themselves quite well. Dreamy couldn't handle the pressure, falling at 195 for the Blades as the hosts can't handle their visitors after a long week. Sweetheart supplied another 635 for Boston, showing no mercy to an overwhelmed opponent. Stealth dropped at 225, the beginnings of a slump a point of concern for Swordpoint. Ice Cream exploded with 900 for the Swifts at the end, finishing a massive win at 3078. Sugar took 260 for the Blades, exiting the game quickly as they lost with 1241. Boston looks every bit of a champion team in starting 1-0, while Swordpoint is happy at 3-2 after a busy opening week to the season.

HP Field, Midland: The Predators host the Rockers for the final game of Week 1, with the hosts sitting Americus while the visitors put their newcomer Chimpy on the bench. Misty kept a steady pace, clobbering 782 for Westside as the visitors get off to a good start. Shawn finally snapped out of his slump with 579 for Midland, attempting to keep the score close after the first turn. Slinks did not protect the Rockers lead well, a mediocre 232 all she could manage from her new 1/2 hitting position. Rainmane took advantage with 620 for the Predators, the firm attack pulling them ahead in the game. Goatee kept the pressure on the hosts with 677 for Westside, her shuffle back to a 2/3 position doing well as she covers the deficit. Fuchsia responded with 426 for Midland in her first truly good appearance of the year, although the hosts trail again slightly. Midnight lost her touch as the turn went on, causing her to exit at 346 as the Rockers close with 2037. Kitty came up just short at 392 for the Predators, sending them to another loss at 2017. Midland's 0-4 start is a cause for concern, while Westside feels thankful to escape a challenging game at 1-0.

That's all for Week 1 in UPCL cricket 2019. We will return with games likely on Sunday, while I am expecting the beginning of the Heart of the Game 13-ball Tournament on Monday. This preseason pool event should run at least through the end of the month.